by TJ HATHAWAY
After their second straight sectional championship appearance last season ended with a second straight loss, Webster Thomas Head Coach Emily Castro had one core message she wanted to emphasize to her players heading forward.
“Keep going.”
Those two words ended up evolving into so much more than just words for the Titans. They meant that no matter what the team went through, that they wouldn’t give up on each other and push on. It became their season-long motto.
And after two straight seasons ending in heartbreak, with the words “Keep Going” on the back of Castro’s t-shirt, their goal as a team was finally accomplished. For the first time in 14 seasons, No. 2 seed Webster Thomas broke through and won the 2023 Section V Class A1 Championship with a 21-5 win over No. 1 seeded Irondequoit, snapping a fourteen-year drought without a sectional title.
“I’m just so proud of the girls,” said Castro. “We worked so hard to get here. From the beginning of the season we tried to find the hardest competition we could and played the best we could so we could be prepared for today.”
And from the 1st inning, it was evident that they were prepared as Castro said. They jumped out to a 5-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 2nd inning.
But even after Irondequoit responded with four runs of their own in the 2nd to make it 5-5 heading into the 3rd, Castro repeated the words she’d been telling her players all season long.
“I told them to keep going. Just keep going.”
They followed it up by scoring seven runs over the course of the next two innings to extend their lead, and went on a streak of retiring six of the next eight batters they faced.
Their 21 scored runs as a team were a season-high, and more than triple their season average. And with Thomas only striking out a total of four times, the ball was constantly being put into play.
“Literally I said just to them be yourself,” said Castro. “Get in there and look for the pitch you want and drive it and that’s exactly what they did, and I said take advantage of all opportunities.”
The Titans were led in the batter’s box by Anna and Emma Bello, twin sisters playing in their senior season. The pair combined to tally five hits and nine RBI.
“The feeling is amazing,” said Anna Bello. “This is our third year in a row making it to the finals, and after we lost in the first two we made up for it here.”
“We’ve been waiting for this moment,” said Emma Bello. “The third time’s the charm and we did it.”
Anna finished with a double, a single, and a team-high six RBI, while scoring once and drawing a walk. Emma finished with a double, two singles, three RBI, and crossed home plate twice.
“I was focused especially on the mental aspect today with it being such a big game,” said Anna Bello. “I just had to make sure I was calm and attacking the ball.”
“You just have to be prepared, you have to be focused,” said Emma Bello. “Going into the batter’s box you just got to focus on yourself. But we also came together and that’s how we were able to score so many runs.”
Castro had nothing but praise for the pair, and values their leadership as two of the team’s three captains.
“I can’t say enough. They are the best leaders, and they’re just fantastic captains. I’m so proud of them and I’m glad we got to do this for them.”
Olivia Constantino finished her day with three singles and a double, scoring four times and adding a pair of RBI. Ella Maloney doubled, singled twice, and brought home three runners off her bat while scoring twice. Madeliene Thromoulus added a double and two singles, crossing home plate three times. Julia Maciag doubled, singled, had an RBI, and scored four times. Madison Hicks added a double, a single, and an RBI. Emma Maloney singled once, scored two runners, and scored once herself. Olivia Bowers singled twice, was walked, had an RBI, and scored twice. Ruby Marapese singled twice and scored twice.
Hicks threw a complete game on the mound for Webster Thomas, striking out five and allowing one earned run while walking one.
For Irondequoit, Marlayna Cartagena doubled three times, scored twice, and started the game on the mound, throwing five innings. Abby Ras singled twice and batted in two runs. Kaylee Besio singled, scored a run, and finished the game throwing the last two innings in relief. Norah DeMayo singled twice and added an RBI. Ella Cooley singled three times, scored, and had an RBI. Laney Flynn scored and had an RBI single. Emma Rovet drew a walk.
The title is Webster Thomas’ fifth in program history.
“I just wanted this so badly for them,” said Castro. “Every single one of them is an awesome kid and an awesome individual. I am just so thrilled that they got to do this for themselves.”
The Titans (15-7) advance to play Honeoye Falls-Lima in the Section V Class A Crossover game with the winner earning a spot in the NYS Far West Regional. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM Tuesday, May 30th, at Eastridge High School.
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